Between the late 1800s and the early part of the 20th century, immigrants from the Indian subcontinent arrived in the Cape, not all of them voluntarily. They settled at the foot of Table Mountain in what was then called District 6. 

In 1905, the growing Muslim community among these immigrants was in need of leadership. Omarjee Ebrahim, Ismail Vallie, Adam Ismail Alias Mohamed Omar, Ahmed Ismail, Vallie Adam Maljee, Ismail Moosa, and Adam Ebrahim - together known as the Founding Fathers - stepped up, and from 3 Muir Street, began to lead the community’s religious affairs. 3 Muir Street was the home of Adam Ebrahim. As a result, the first Salah Khana in the area was established in his home in 1906.

By 1922, the community had grown considerably, and a more formal place of prayer was needed. A row of houses in Chapel Street was purchased. A year afterwards, the Zeenatul Islam Masjid mosque was built. Sometime later, a new mosque was required. Ahmad Ismail, who chaired the Kanamia Muslim League, launched an ambitious fundraising campaign. In 1938, a new three-story building was completed.

1963 saw the founding of the Cape Town Tabligh Jamaat at the mosque. In 2010 much needed renovations where undertaken. Ever since its first meeting in the home of Adam Ebrahim at 3 Muir Street, the Zeenatul Islam Masjid (aka Muir Street Mosque) aims to enrich and support the lives of those it serves.